Final answer:
The acoustic reflex, involving the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles, reduces the effectiveness of the ossicles in response to loud sounds that could damage hearing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reflex you are referring to is called the acoustic reflex. It is a protective mechanism of the ear that reduces the effectiveness of the ossicles, which are the small bones in the middle ear, in response to loud sounds that could potentially damage hearing. The two muscles involved in this reflex are the tensor tympani and the stapedius muscles.
When exposed to loud sounds, these muscles contract, which leads to a stiffening of various parts of the middle ear system. This stiffening reduces the transmission of sound energy from the eardrum to the inner ear, effectively decreasing the pressure and intensity of the sound waves that reach the sensitive structures of the cochlea. By doing so, the acoustic reflex helps protect the delicate hair cells in the cochlea, preventing them from being overloaded with excessive sound energy.